Column: Middle Ground
We all know people who live and die by their studies. Not only are they incredibly intelligent, but they also work the hardest. They are honor students and deservedly so. When the rest of us are struggling in a course, we usually turn to them for help. Without them, we would be lost. With them, many of us are still lost.
I have one such friend who came to me this week with a dilemma. She wanted to go home for a long weekend. Her grandparents were there to visit and so were all of her siblings and she wanted to be home with the rest of them. The only problem: going home meant a long drive and a short visit.
She didn’t want to miss any of her classes, but she was just a little burned out. She needed a break so I suggested she skip school – and she did. Professors, take note. Emily Hall will not be in class today, likely for the first time in the history of Emily Hall.
Now if she’s burned out, imagine the rest of us not-so-smart students. We’re tired. We need a break.
For the record, our last day off of school was Sept. 5, Labor Day. Our next day off will be Nov. 23, our Thanksgiving Break. For those who are counting, that is 48 consecutive days of school (excluding weekends) without a day off, the longest holiday-less stretch of the entire academic year.
Every other public university in Utah has some sort of fall break. This Thursday and Friday, Snow College, Utah Valley State College and the College of Eastern Utah all have vacation time. Weber State only gets Friday off. Southern Utah University just gets Monday. Poor guys. And Salt Lake Community College, the University of Utah and Dixie State College each had Thursday and Friday off two weeks ago.
And what about us?
Zero, zilch, nada.
We are the only public university in the state without a fall break.
I repeat. WE ARE THE ONLY PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN THE STATE WITHOUT A FALL BREAK.
A day or two off won’t kill USU, I promise. In fact, I believe it will help. Many of us are tired, some even burned out. School is hard. It’s stressful. We are smack-dab in the middle of the semester and many of us need time to refocus so we can finish out strong the semester like we started.
A fall break could work wonders. Mini road trips, outdoorsy excursions and the like are often difficult to plan for just a two-day weekend. Add weekend homework to the equation and it is virtually impossible. For many of us, including my friend, even going home is hard to do. An extra day or two could make all the difference.
So why not have a fall break?
Columnist’s Note – This is the part of my column where I address the good reasons for the present policy and then explain why mine is better. I’ve thought for a while and honestly, I cannot come up with a single good reason for the present policy.
Shame on you, USU.
Tacking on an extra day or two at the beginning or end of the semester won’t hurt anyone. But the break in the middle will certainly help. So in years to come, please give us a break from the worries, stress and monotony of day after day of university life. We might just come back as more motivated and more determined students.
And to the rest of Utah students out enjoying the sunshine and a little rest, I hope you have a good vacation. If you need to find any of us up here in Logan, we’ll just be in class.
Jon Cox is a senior majoring in print journalism. Comments can be sent to jcox@cc.usu.edu.